Title: Matilda
Author: Roald Dahl
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Book to Film, Children’s, Easy reading
Dates read: 23rd January – 2nd February 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 1988
5th sentence, 74th page: I like it.

‘We saw Miss Trunchbull grab a girl by the pigtails and throw her over the playground fence!’

Growing up, Matilda was always one of my favourite books. I mean, how could it not be? It’s about a girl that is different, a bit of an outcast and seriously smart. I saw a lot of myself in her when I was a kid. I’m not that smart or that much of an outsider, and I certainly can’t move things with my mind. But I still felt that love for the character. And, reading this as an adult… I can remember why I had all of those wonderful, positive feelings.

Matilda is a reminder that we all have power and individuality. That we should never take advantage of others and always be good. I love Miss Honey, and always wished that I had a teacher like that growing up. Plus, Matilda has an amazing best friend in Lavendar. And just generally great people on her side, once she starts school that is. Plus, even though this is written by a man… it involves strong females. With strong female relationships. Something that I think we all need in our lives.

This is one of those stories that is so ingrained into my childhood that I’m not entirely sure if I read the book or watched the movie first. But, I do know for certain that the whole time I was reading this, I was picturing Danny DeVito (I think that’s the actor) and hearing his voice whenever Matilda’s father was talking. It gave me even more nostalgia and a fondness for aspects of childhood that had kind of lain dormant and forgotten.

It’s always nice to know that you can revisit a beloved childhood tale and still enjoy it. I will definitely be picking Matilda up again and again. It was a fun, light and enjoyable journey. And there were moments in it that I didn’t notice as a child. Something that I love… when something from your childhood stands the test of time.

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Image source: Dymocks